Beyond odd that forty-four years ago both Pope John Paul II and President Reagan were shot within a few months of each other. Praise God that both survived. The Pope forgave his would be assassin which demonstrated a largeness of soul that far exceeds my ability to emulate Christ.
Only God knows how any other would be assassins, and yes, Catholic haters, that JPII’s charity (above and beyond), might have turned around.
The interesting part of the whole affair was the failure of the Pope, Italian authorities and Western intelligence agencies to assign blame where it belonged. It is quite clear that this was a “wet” operation of the KGB, operating through Bulgaria who orchestrated this attempt. This ignoring of evil seems to have encouraged further assassinations and attempts over the years, knowing that the perpetrators would never be called to account.
I am against forgiving the unrepentant. Contrary to popular belief, Christ did not command it. He commanded we forgive the repentant. After all, God Himself does not forgive the unrepentant. One of the examples of cheap grace condemned by Bonhoeffer was forgiveness without repentance. I think forgiving the unrepentant harms the offender by removing the impetus to repent. And if the offense is grave in nature, we are talking about his salvation being in jeopardy. How is that charity?
The refusal to forgive is not synonymous with the bearing of ill will, although many mistakenly think that.
Now, it is true both Reagan and John Paul II’s would be assassins were mentally and one could very well claim a “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” moment. But, at least in the case of JPII, it was not characterized that way.
I have a very soft spot in my heart for the repentant sinner because I know from personal experience how gut wrenchingly difficult repentance can be. But I have little to no sympathy for those who refuse to repent. And I have an ever growing contempt for those who spread the lie that we must forgive the unrepentant.
OT, I see above an ad asking money for the Prison Fellowship, which is an Evangelical organization that provides Evangelical materials to prison inmates. I know it is not always easy, but maybe it would be possible to carry ads for Catholic organizations instead or at least neutral products that do not tend to make people leave the Catholic Church?
Donald Link:
Yes the KGB, the assassins of the Communist Agenda.
Greg:
Forgiveness is in the will. I believe that all souls are forgiven by God, but unless these unrepentant souls accept God’s forgiveness they go to hell.
Bruno:
The head of Food for the Poor embezzled several million dollars and went to prison for two years. When he got out he promised to never embezzle again.
Fool me once its on you. Fool me twice its on me.
Find a neighbor who needs help or your parish outreach.
I must of missed, where Jesus said from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what the do.” I do not see any exceptions there. We need to be careful not to fall for the Calvinist lie only the predestined receive forgiveness and salvation.
We are called to forgive. Regardless of whether the person is sorry for their actions. I think mainly because it is for Gods sake and for the sake of our souls- so we don’t fall into the trap of bitterness and contempt. We let God work on the person who has grieved us. Who knows, the person may repent because we unreservedly forgave them. Mind you, with forgiveness comes prudence and caution. We don’t have to be friends with someone because we forgave them. Forgiveness is a difficult thing.
Maybe this is what Greg is referring to:
“Be attentive to yourselves. If your brother has sinned against you, correct him. And if he has repented, forgive him.
And if he has sinned against you seven times a day, and seven times a day has turned back to you, saying, ‘I am sorry,’ then forgive him.”
~ Luke 17:3-4
Matthew:
Jesus asked His Father to forgive them. Did Jesus’ Father forgive them? before the Ascension?